Invalid-bedstead



(No Model.

H. VAN FELT.- Invalid Bedstead.

Patented May 31, 1881.

N. PETEM. Hmwunm n mr. Wnhin-ion. n c,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HIRAM VAN PELT, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

lNVALlD-BEDSTEAD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 242,170, dated May 3], 1881.

Application filed October 25, 1880.

To all whom it may concern Be-it known that I, HIRAM VAN PELT, of Cleveland, in the county of Ouyahoga and State of Ohio, haveinvent'ed a new and useful Improvement in Invalid-Bedsteads; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description of the same, reference being hadtothe accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

My invention relates to certain improvements in adjustable beds, with special reference to their use forinva-lids, and arranged so that the head can be elevated to any desired height or lowered at pleasure, to place the occupant in any position that may he wished. This is accomplished by dividing the slats forming the spring-bed into two sections at a point about one-third of the distance from the head, and placing underneath a row of auxiliary springs, so that they will be under the divided portions and act as a support to them. These parts are hinged together so that the head can be elevated or depressed at will.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical lon' gitudinal section of my improved spring-bed; Fig. 2, a sectional view of the shaft A and its sleeve B, showing its manner of adjustment therein; and Fig. 3, a detail view of a part of rack E, showing the manner of its connection to the cross-piece c.

In these drawings like letters refer to like parts. 7

A A are shafts set in bearings at either side of the bed, the shaft A being provided with a removable crank, O.

AtB B are sleeves or sockets into which the shafts are set, being divided so as to allow an expansive movement to render them of the right length to fit any ordinary differences in the widthof the bedstead. They can befirmly fastened, when adjusted to the proper length, by the set-screws b b.

D is the upper or hinged part of the bed, provided with the springs E, one spring being under each slat, and all fastened to the crosspiece 6, which rests at either end upon the curved rack E.

When-it is desired to raise the head of the bed the crank U is turned, whiclractuates the cog-wheel H,meshing into the rack E; and by its revolution raising the head to any desired position. It is checked and prevented from falling by thepawl I, which is raised, as shown,

(No model.)

when it is desired to lower the head, by moving the lever J, or by a reverse movement of the lever allowed to fall into the position shown by the dottedlines. Thefriction-wheel Gr bears upon the inner edge of the ratchet and prevents its being thrown out of place. This series of cogs and other actuating mechanism is arranged upon both sides of the bedstead, andmoves in concert so as to raise both sides of the head together, and without binding or unevenness, which would cause jar and prevent the ready working of the device.

The attachment of my device to a bed requires the making of only one hole in the side for the purpose of allowing the end of the shaft to project sufficiently to attach the crank, and this hole can be covered with an ornamental escuteheon, which will not detract from the appearance of thebedstead. The chain K prevents the head from being raised so far as to endanger its falling forward.

The rods A and A can be made of metal or wood, metal being preferable, and arranged to give a lateral spread of several inches, so that one size of device will answer for numerous different sizes of beds. The bed proper, or slat portion, may be in any approved form and rest upon cross-slats L L, and I do not limit myself to size and shape of the bed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is--' 1. In an invalid-bedstead for the purposes set forth, the extensiblerods A A, having their meeting ends adjustable within the collars B B, respectively, by means of the screws b b, the several parts constructed and arranged substantially as described and shown.

2. In an invalid-bedstead, the combination, with the hinged part D, springs E, and crosspiece 0, of the extensible shafts AnA', cog- 5 wheels H, pawls I, lever J, racks E, and friction-wheels G, the several parts constructed, arranged, and operating substantially as described and shown.

This specification signed and witnessed this 30th day of June, 1880.

HIRAM VAN FELT.

Witnesses:

GEO. O. TRACY, S. M. WoLooTr, J r. 

